Encoding Mp3

Shoit · 16 Oct 2008 at 19:43

I have just purchased an external hard drive and want to put all my music on there as a back up. The problem is I only have a shared macbook so can't rip directly into itunes - is there anyway to have music on an external hard drive that can the be used by itunes to transfer to an Ipod?

Thanks

Kevin

Prime · 16 Oct 2008 at 20:10

hold down option key when opening itunes.
You can then create or choose a library, stick on on your external drive and rip directly into it.

Have to remember to switch the library back but that could solve your problem.

Shoit · 16 Oct 2008 at 20:35

Sorry - a bit of a novice user - could you explain what you mean by hold down the option key?

Kev

Prime · 16 Oct 2008 at 20:46

Press down option key, then open itunes.
Create new library.
When you want to switch back to the previously library you repeat the first step and select an existing library.

Or you could buy an itunes Library manager like "Libra" or "Itunes Library Manager"

Or you could ditch Itunes

Shoit · 16 Oct 2008 at 21:07

All suggestions for Itunes alternatives considered, any suggestions?

Kev

Prime · 17 Oct 2008 at 18:03

You could try something like "Play" http://sbooth.org/Play/ which is free but is due an update or "Songbird" http://www.simplehelp.net/2007/07/05/how-to-use-songbird-to-manage-your-ipod/

As for moving music from your external (or anywhere) directly to the Ipod you can use Songbird again or something like Yamipod http://www.yamipod.com/main/modules/home/

iSam · 17 Oct 2008 at 19:05

Winamp surely?

Prime · 17 Oct 2008 at 23:24

on a mac?

You could run it through darwine/crossover but i don't think the ipod functionality works.
Be better off with Foobar if you're using the above though no album art display.
Another decent media manager/player is Cog, been playing around with this one and it's quite nice. Similar to Play but no Album art either.

RoleyBirkin · 18 Oct 2008 at 09:37

Prime said:
Or you could ditch Itunes

Class idea.